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Spring Training 2026
#81 · March 12, 2026, 1:30 pm
I expect Buehler to get added next week (before his opt out) using the one current open roster slot. To add France likely they will put Hoeing on the 60 day IL (has yet to pitch with an "elbow" issue I think).
My one hedges concerns how long they think Song will be on the IL. If it is "short" realistically how many ABs will France, Castellanos, and Andujar get considering Sheets will bat vs RHP (about 75% of starts). Enough to get separation to determine who is released when Song returns? If splitting days will anyone get into a rhythm playing maybe every 2nd-3rd game?
Side, the real issue is between France and Castellanos ... Andujar is on the bigger contract and in each of the past three season crushed LHP and has faired well vs RHP (in some years better than France or Castellanos).
#82 · March 12, 2026, 3:02 pm
Will Stammen sub-out Manny from 3B once a week? To preserve him for September/October baseball?
If so, is that France getting starts, or Song, if healthy?
Was Castellanos a 3B early in his career?
#83 · March 12, 2026, 3:41 pm
Quote from WindsorUK on March 12, 2026, 3:02 pmWill Stammen sub-out Manny from 3B once a week? To preserve him for September/October baseball?
If so, is that France getting starts, or Song, if healthy?
Was Castellanos a 3B early in his career?
Andujar is getting a suspicious number of starts at 3b in ST. "Clang" is not the sound of the Friar ringing the bell for ground balls to 3b...
#84 · March 12, 2026, 4:01 pm
I'd put France back there before Andujar. Think of Andujar more of a DH and OF, the latter position is relatively safe to see him in LF and probably better than Castellanos in the corners. Interesting that in today's line-up France is at 2b and Castellanos is in RF - these are probably their emergency back-up positions since neither is good at today's assigned position.
#85 · March 12, 2026, 4:12 pm
Quote from WindsorUK on March 12, 2026, 3:02 pmWill Stammen sub-out Manny from 3B once a week? To preserve him for September/October baseball?
If so, is that France getting starts, or Song, if healthy?
Was Castellanos a 3B early in his career?
Probably not early in the season but yes he will slide to DH periodically once the season heats up.
Guessing Song would be the #1 sub ... he was reported as a good fielding 3B in Korea. Andujar and Castellanos were abysmal defensive 3B so would think emergency only. A case for France over Castellanos even if Castellanos is a better hitter, France will not hurt them at 3B (and can play some marginal 2B).
Of course don't know how much the Padres will value defense at 3B if it only a once a week test and only for part of the season. How bad is bad?
If it were me ... I would play France and Castellanos every game until they have to create the opening day roster to see if one separates himself against the same (and better late ST) pitching. It is not impossible (especially if they see Song returning sooner than later) that one is poor enough in the next two weeks just get released and the Padres go with a "filler" until Song returns (McCoy? Taylor?)
#86 · March 12, 2026, 4:18 pm
I had not focused on this but this offseason Preller made no trades, no waiver claims, no Rule 5 claim. Just ML/MiL FA signings.
Maybe he is still evaluating who he has and is saving his trade chips for the trade deadline (when you can get more for less). I suspect he may have a small deal before opening day having to move someone out of the over staffed bullpen (Marinaccio?)
#87 · March 12, 2026, 4:26 pm
Quote from Randy Manese on March 12, 2026, 4:01 pmI'd put France back there before Andujar. Think of Andujar more of a DH and OF, the latter position is relatively safe to see him in LF and probably better than Castellanos in the corners. Interesting that in today's line-up France is at 2b and Castellanos is in RF - these are probably their emergency back-up positions since neither is good at today's assigned position.
Probably as much getting everyone's bat in the line-up as exposing them to emergency future field positions.
Interesting to see Samad Taylor get the DH call (batting 9th) ... a lot of other options in camp to get that start ... so maybe his bat / versatility has caught the Padres attention and he is still in consideration for a 26 man roster slot. OF/INF profile with speed. Johnson on the bubble? Sneeks ahead of France or Castellanos if one of the two faulter?
#88 · March 12, 2026, 4:35 pm
Watch Taylor's abs though. Decent velocity knocks the bat out of his hands.
#89 · March 12, 2026, 5:05 pm
Quote from Commie on March 12, 2026, 4:35 pmWatch Taylor's abs though. Decent velocity knocks the bat out of his hands.
Yeh, his ABs don't impress me but as the 13th man on the bench who can PR, fill defensively if needed in both the OF/INF ... maybe don't worry about bat. Johnson with more versatility? Remember Johnson prior to last season also could not hit ML pitching and he is out of options, so Taylor could turn into a up and down option as other bench pieces are needed and called up.
Sort of is a good hitter that does not get to hit as the 13 man without a defensive option all that useful?
#90 · March 12, 2026, 5:21 pm
Taylor impressed early but has cooled off as the pitching has gotten better. However, still in the mix for a bench spot with his speed and versatility since he can play all the OF spots and most of the INF . Padres likely go with Johnson but if he fails to hit and starts striking out in the 25+ range, Taylor could get the call. Johnson would be DFA'd and likely go unclaimed and onto the El Paso roster.